Monitoring and compensating phase imperfections in cine balanced steady-state free precession

Abstract

Purpose To analyze and correct for eddy current-induced phase imperfections in cardiac cine balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP) imaging. Methods Eddy current-induced phase offsets were measured for different phase-encoding schemes using a higher order dynamic field camera. Based on these measurements, offset phases were corrected for in postprocessing and by run-time phase compensation applying radiofrequency phase increments and additional compensatory gradient areas. The findings were validated using numerical simulations, phantom experiments, and in vivo cardiac scans. Results Depending on the phase-encoding scheme, significant eddy current-induced phase offsets were detected. Time-varying phase offsets were observed at subsequent excitations leading to steady-state distortions and hence to profile-dependent amplitude modulations in k-space. Taking into account measured k-space trajectories algebraic image reconstruction allowed compensating imperfect spatial encoding. Correction of amplitude modulations was successfully accomplished by run-time phase compensation. Conclusion Using magnetic field monitoring, artifacts in cine balanced steady-state free precession caused by uncompensated eddy current fields can be significantly reduced. Magn Reson Med 70:1567-1579, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.